Funding our Facilities
Funding our Facilities Improvement Programme
In 2023 Moneydarragh Community Hub was awarded a grant from the Community Ownership Fund of £60,000 for which Match Funding was needed.
Match Funding Grants were received from Ulster Garden Villages, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Arts Council N Ireland and LFT Charitable Trust.
Without these awards the works needed to bring the Hub up to modern standards of Building Integrity, Disabled Access Provision, Energy Efficiency could not have happened. Thanks to the kind support we now share a Warm , Welcoming and Comforting Environment with our community.
The Moneydaragh Hub Management Committee would like to express our thanks to all of our funders - Without their support, none of these necessary improvements would have been possible.
Facility Improvements Survey and User Comments November 2024
General – User and Facilitator reaction to the various works has been extremely positive:
Access Ramps, Accessible Toilet Facilities & Increased Efficiency
Improved heating and comfort due to double glazing, roof insulation and solar panels that help to ensure sustainable heating of the mobile units. The new kitchenettes and playground facilities are greatly appreciated by users and the addition of new disabled toilets in the main building and the crafts area have resulted in a significant increase in usage by elderly/disabled adults and by disabled children.
Community use:
Since completion of the renovation and improvement works, there has been a continuing rise in the use of the facility by local ad-hoc and community groups; Vintage Club, Textile group, Knit and Natter, Local Music Groups and Choir as well as by outside groups providing services; Women’s TEC regularly run womens DIY and IT Courses, We have courses being delivered by Textile and Furniture Upcycvling groups.
Through our registration with the Education Authority Youth Service we can now deliver Youth development and leadership courses, Indoor and outdoor gardening courses.
By upgrading the main building and the four former mobile classrooms we have been able to increase out capacity to deliver these extra events and activities and to provide space for local families to have private parties in a secure environment.
Crafts Building - Disabled Toilet Wonderful addition to allow for all users especially for our young disabled users in a space we use regularly as well as during special seasonal family events.
Disabled Ramps Access - This is a key element of upgrades. Demonstrates active inclusion for community and all users.
The New Kitchenette provision in the mobile units are much needed additions to mobiles for users and to attract more users
The Main Building and Mobile Units are much warmer and more comfortable for all especially our older users – no more rainwater buckets on the floors in the main building!
Case Study – so many people have benefitted from the improvements made possible by the awards that it is difficult to choose one in isolation – this is one persons experience:
Community member “A” is disabled and has to use a mobility Scooter to get around. In order to use the building pre-renovation works, she had to be lifted up steps as all of the Hub Buildings had stepped entrances, As a result, she rarely attended the Hub. Since the ramps and disabled toilets were finished in 2024 she is a regular attendee at our Thursday and Friday Warm Spaces events – on Thursdays she uses her considerable crochet and textile skills to help others and on Fridays she takes part in afternoon Knit and Natter and evening Bingo.
Service User Feedback:
Jenny - “my son is 13 and disabled – it is great to have somewhere local where he can access the building and the toilet facilities. This has enabled him to take part in Craft activities and to learn to play traditional music in our local area instead of having to travel miles for this. It also lets him meet up with friends locally. Thank you!”
Austin – “My son is 14 and uses a wheelchair -He loves crafts but could not access any local facility until now. We no longer have to drive him 25 miles to Newry for classes – now he can go to pottery and gardening classes with his friends – having new ramps and a disabled toilet in the crafts room is brilliant “
Breige – “I use a mobility scooter and it is great to be able to meet with friends in a nice cosy place with access and toilet facilities – great work here.”
Rosemary - “Moneydarragh Hub has been a Godsend to so many people including myself. The facilities, especially the ramps and disabled toilets, have made the premises accessible to all.
In addition, the fact that solar panels, better insulation, new roof and double-glazed windows have been installed to conserve energy and ensure that all who take part are safe and comfortable including young and old. There are so many activities taking place that suit all ages in contrast to life before the Hub. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live in our isolated area without it. So many people from outside our area are using it and more and more projects and activities are being planned.”
Raphael – ”my mother is now in her late eighties and was effectively housebound since my father dies. She can now access the Hub facilities and meet her friends for Warm spaces, Tea etc as well as go to grafts, Knit and Natter and bingo – it has literally given her a new lease of life!”
David – “I live on my own and don’t get out much as I cannot walk well – I love to get out to the Hub now during the day to meet up with friends – it’s nice and warm and I feel safe and comfortable there.”
Roisin – Main Building Toilets Upgrade - “Excellent job allowing for better use of toilet facility compared to original toilets.”
